Teenager flown to hospital by helicopter after improvised firearm explodes in Maryland: fire safety officer

The teenager suffered burns and serious injuries while attempting to fire the simple weapon, which was a metal tube laced with black powder, officials said.

Shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday evening, members of the Church Hill Volunteer Fire Department and paramedics from the Queen Anne's County Department of Emergency Services were called to the 200 block of Laysan Teal Court in Queen Anne's County where serious injuries were reported.

After treatment, the teenager was flown by Maryland State Police helicopter to Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore, where his condition was reported to be stable a few days later.

The fire marshal was called after it was determined that the injuries had been caused by an explosion. Investigators say the metal tube was filled with an unknown amount of black powder and subsequently exploded when he attempted to light the device with a lighter.

There is no evidence that he intended to make the explosive device for malicious reasons, nor is any criminal intent suspected, they added.

A search of the property did not result in the discovery of similar or other items of destruction.

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